New Aussies welcomed by Governor General

The Governor General Quentin Bryce made Rockhampton her first stop on her Australia Day tour of flood affected regions.
She welcomed 65 new Australians and presented them with their certificates at a citizenship ceremony.

Family and friends of those participating in the ceremony raced up the isles to take photos of the special moment.

New Australian citizens Selemani Salima and his six year old son Mphasto Salima say they were very honoured to have Quentin Bryce attend their citizenship ceremony.

"So proud to see her with us and to get my Australian citizenship when she was around here," says Selemani.

"It's an honour to me."

As the Capricornia Silver Band played the Australian Anthem, I Still Call Australia Home and Waltzing Matilda, the sense of true Australian pride warmed the hearts of all those gathered at the Heritage Village woolshed.

Whole families became Australian citizens together.

The Stewart family, Michael, Murray, Jan and Nicholas were very excited and a little nervous to receive their Australian citizen certificates from the Governor General.

"I was nervous, I was really nervous, I had sweaty hands" laughs Jan.

"It was really nice to meet her, she was really lovely and chatty."

UK born Veronica Moffatt was another who became a citizen at the Rockhampton Australia Day ceremony.

Her husband and two daughters watched on as she became an Australian citizen.

"Very exciting, all my family are all Australians so it's good to be one of them at last," says Veronica.

She says having the Governor General in attendance was a great surprise.

"I felt very honoured and privileged to have her here as well," she says.

After the ceremony concluded with the Australian Anthem, people wandered around the Heritage Village to listen to live local acts, taste the freshly cooked snags and grab a bargain at the stalls.